Anchor handling device

ABSTRACT

A device is provided for containing and dispensing small boat anchors which includes an annular drum having an outer recessed reel section for receiving an anchor line wound thereupon, a handle at one end of the drum, and a latch for releasably retaining a small boat anchor axially of the drum. The device is operated by grasping the handle with one hand and holding the device out over the water and then releasing the latch to allow the anchor to fall from the drum and the anchor line to pay out from the recessed reel section.

United States Patent [191 McGee, Jr.

i 3,771,487 Nov. 13, 1973 ANCHOR HANDLING DEVICE Roger V. McGee, Jr. 6011 Gaston, Apt. 216, Dallas, Tex. 75214 [22] Filed: Jan. 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 219,491

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 114/210, 242/85.1

[51] Int. Cl B63b 21/22 [58] Field of Search 114/210, 206, 221; 242/851, 84.2 J, 96; 43/56, 54.5, 55; 294/66 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,646,684 3/1972 Paulsen 242/85.1 1,408,261 2/1922 Brookhart.... 242/85.1 3,040,980 6/1962 Mann et a1... 43/56 1,109,052 9/1914 Edman et al. 114/210 3,174,703 3/1965 Falkum 242/842 J 8/1927 Schauman 114/210 11/1876 Mihan 114/206 Primary ExaminerDuane A. Reger Assistant ExaminerGalen L. Barefoot Attorney-D. Carl Richards et al.

57 ABSTRACT A device is provided for containing and dispensing small boat anchors which includes an annular drum having an outer recessed reel section for receiving an anchor line wound thereupon, a handle at one end of the drum, and a latch for releasably retaining a small boat anchor axially of the drum. The device is operated by grasping the handle with one hand and holding the device out over the water and then releasing the latch to allow the anchor to fall from the drum and the anchor line to pay out from the recessed reel section.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEB NM 1 3 I975 SHEET 10F 2 FIG.

PAIENIEMDHBIQH 3.771.487

sum 2 or 2 FIG. 3

ANCHOR HANDLING DEVICE This invention relates to boat accessories. In another, aspect, this invention relates to devices for manipulating anchors for boats. In still another aspect, this invention relates to an improved small boat anchor launching and housing device.

Smaller boats, such as the smaller yachts, ski boats, and fishing boats and other such craft generally require the use of anchors at many times after the boat is launched. However, since most of such small watercraft do not come equipped with anchor ports or any other similar means for securing, launching, and housing the anchor, the anchor and the anchor line usually are placed on the deck of the vessel when not in use. As a result, when the anchor and the anchor line are not in use they normally take up valuable deck space in the smaller watercraft. In addition, the anchor line generally becomes entangled with other equipment such as fishing gear and skiing equipment, as well as with the passengers feet, which is both annoying and dangerous to the occupants of the boat.

Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide a novel means for handling a small boat anchor and anchor line. 7

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel anchor-handling device for a small boat which will rapidly and efficiently launch an anchor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel means for handling a small boat anchor and line which can be used to launch and house the anchor, as well as provide a storage compartment for the boat.

According to the invention, an anchor-handling means is provided which comprises an annular drum which carries an outer recessed reel section for receiving an anchor line wound thereupon, and means for releasably retaining a boat anchor axially of the drum.

Accordingly to one embodiment of this invention, an anchor and anchor line container and dispenser is provided which includes an elongated drum section for receiving a conventional small boat anchor therewithin, and which carries an outer recessed reel section for receiving the anchor line wound thereupon, and a handle extending across the upper end of the drum which carries means for releasably retaining the-anchor. Preferably, an annular seat cushion is provided on the upper end of the anchor holder of this embodiment.

According to another embodiment of this invention, the anchor dispenser of said one embodiment is provided with a removable inner container, such as a minnow bucket, which is adapted to fit operatively and be retained within the drum when the anchor is detached therefrom.

This invention can be more easily understood from a study of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred boat anchor storing and dispensing device of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the device of FIG. 1 in the process of launching an anchor;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the attachment of the device in FIG. 1 to a boat cleat;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a minnow bucket accessory which can be used with the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 containing the minnow bucket of FIG. 4.

Now referring to FIG. 1, the anchor storing and dispensing device 10 generally comprises an annular drum 12 which carries an outer recessed reel section 14 for receiving an anchor line 16 wound thereupon. The interior of drum 12 is of sufficient size to receive a standard boat anchor such as the mushroom-type small boat anchor 18 therewithin.

Thus as illustrated, anchor 18 is a standard mushroom anchor for a small watercraft and comprises a base 18a, a shank 18b, and a ring 18c. Anchor rop 16 preferably carries a locking snap 15 on its leading end 16a and a locking snap 17 on its trailing end 16b.

The configuration of reel section 14 as illustrated in the drawings can basically be described as two frustoconical sections joined at their apexes (narrow ends). However, any other suitable fixed reel configuration can be used in the scope of this invention. It is noted that the external configuration of recessed reel section 14 carried by drum 12 can be varied within the scope of this invention. Preferably, drum 12 has a general outer configuration as shown in FIG. 1. However, any other suitable configuration can be used in the scope of this invention. It is only necessary that the reel section 14 be smaller in diameter than the outer diameter of drum 12. Thus, the reel section 14 can have any smoothly curved concave shape, for example. Reel section 14 is generally fluted by cutouts 20 which allow the anchor line 16 to adequately contact the atmosphere and dry after it has been retrieved from a body of water.

The bottom end of anchor storing and dispensing device 10 carries serrations 22, while the upper end 24 of anchor storing and dispensing device 10 is preferably smooth. Anchor rope locking slots 26 extend through the sidewall of upper end 24 above lip 28. Lip 28 comprises an annular member extending from the upper interior sidewall of anchor storing and dispensing device 10 adjacent the upper end 24 and carries handle 30 thereacross. Handle 30 basically comprises a gripping section 32 shaped for easy grasping by a human hand, pivotal latch 34, and locking slot 36. Pivotal latch 34 includes locking arm 34a and trigger 34b. Drum 12 is basically made of a high strengh lightweight material such as fiberglass, aluminum and the like.

Annular seat cushion 38 fits within the recess between lip 28 and upper end 24. Specifically, annular seat cushion 38 comprises an annular cushion which is attached to rigid annular seating section 40. Seating section 40 carries a pair of L-shaped locking lugs 42 which match with locking notches 44 of lip 28 of device 10. Thus, annular seat cushion 38 is affixed to lip 28 by aligning locking lugs 42 with locking notches 44, contacting seating section 40 with lip 28, and thereafter twisting seat cushion 38 relative to lip 28 to allow the arms 42a locking lugs 42 to slide to the underside of lip 28. It is noted that the annular cushion in areas 46 is beveled sufficiently such that when cushion 38 is affixed to lip 28 of device 10, a loop oF rope 50 can be passed between adjacent anchor rope locking slots 26.

In operation of anchor storing and dispensing device 10, snap 17 is intially engaged through adjacent locking slots 26 on the upper end of drum 12. Next, the anchor rope 16 is wound about reel section 14 of drum 12 in a spiraling manner from the upper to the lower portion thereof. When most of the anchor rope 16 has beenwrapped around reel section 14, locking snap 15 is affixed to ring of anchor 18, and anchor 18 is placed within the interior of drum 12 such that ring 18c passes through locking slot 36 while pivotal latch 34 is disengaged. After ring 18c is inserted within locking slot 36, pivotal latch 34 is engaged to allow locking arm 34a to pass through the portion of ring 18c that extends above handle 30. Next, any loose portion of anchor rope l6 hanging from under the retained anchor 18 is wrapped around reel section 14 until taut and then passed upwardly in a serration 22 such as serration 22a to thereby leave anchor rope l6 taut as it passes under the bottom side of drum 12 as illustrated in broken line in FIG. 1. When nnular cushion 38 is affixed to the upper end of device'li), device 10 serves not only as a convenient storage device'for the anchor 18 and anchor rope 16, but also as a very stable extra seat within the boat.

To launch anchor 18, locking snap 17 is preferably affixed to the boat such as to cleat 52 and handle is grasped and device 10 is positioned over the side of the boat and above the water as illustrated in FIG. 2. Next, the index finger engages trigger 34b of pivotal latch 34 and pulls it back to cause locking arm 34a to become disengaged from the upper portion of the anchor ring 180. This will allow anchor 18 to drop from the interior of device 10 into the water and anchor rope 16 to uncoil from the side of the fixed recessed reel section 14 of drum 12. If all the anchor rope 16 is payed out, device 10 can be lifted back into the boat and again used as a seat. On the other hand, if the boat is in shallower water and only a portion of the anchor rope 16 is payed out, a loop 54 can be made with a portion of the leading end of the rope and passed through adjacent anchor rope locking slots 26a and 26b through the sidewall or drum 12 and then affixed to cleat 52 in a manner such as illustrated in FIG. 3. This will allow the device 10 to hane from cleat 52 on the side of the boat.

Whenever it is desired to house anchor 18, the anchor rope 16 is lifted and wound about the periphery of recessed drum section 14 in the same manner as was done when the device 10 was initially loaded with anchor rope 16 and anchor 18.

It is noted that device 10 can also be utilized to store items other than an anchor, either while the anchor is launched or a time when the anchor is not launched, and anchor 18 is removed from locking snap 15. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, minnow bucket 56 is provided which can be effectively utilized with device 10. As shown, the bottom section 58 of minnow bucket 56 is basically a frusto-conical shaped section enclosed by bottom web 58a, and the upper section 60 is basically a cylindrical shaped section. This particular shape is very benefitical for a minnow bucket. When the water level is maintained adjacent the upper end of bottom section 58, a relatively large quantity of water can be maintained within the bucket but yet the shape of the bucket will prevent undue splashing at the surface and subsequent spillage due to the normal pitching and rolling motion which is imparted to objects within a boat floating upon water.

The top end of upper section 60 of minnow bucket 56 carries a locking ring 62 to fit in locking slot 36 of handle 30. Notch 64 is positioned on the opposite siewall of cylindrical section 60 from locking ring 62 and lugs 66 extend outwardly on opposite sides of notch 64. When inserting the minnow bucket within the interior of drum 12, the minnow bucket 56 is inserted up within the interior of drum 12 such that gripping section 32 of handle 30 fits within notch 64 and lugs 66 are positioned on the top side of lip 28 adajcent handle 30 while locking ring 62 fits within locking slot 36. The locking arm 34a of pivotal latch 34 is then passed through the extending portion of locking ring 62 to hold the minnow bucket in place. The minnow bucket 56 can be removed from the interior of drum 12 by merely actuating the trigger 34b of pivotal latch 34 and allow locking arm 34a to pass from under locking ring 62 to thereby disengage minnow bucket 56. Drum 12 can then be lifted from over minnow bucket 56. Various other containers and storage devices can be utilized with device 10 alternately with anchor 18 in a similar manner.

Which this invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof will now be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading this specificiation, and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for containing and dispensing a boat anchor comprising:

a. an annular drum having a first end and a second end and a recessed reel section therebetween for receiving an anchor line wound thereupon, said second end being open for receiving said anchor therewithin;

b. a handle means positioned across said first end;

and I c. latching means positioned adjacent said handle means on said first end for retaining said boat anchor in said second end and releasing said boat anchor from said second end axially of said drum when said second end is pointed downwardly.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said boat anchor comprises a base section and a ring connected by a shank, and said latching means is adapted to releasably retain said ring.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said latching means comprises a slot in said handle means for receiving said ring and a means for releasably retaining said ring in said slot.

4. A device for containing and dispensing a boat anchor which has a base section and ring connected by a shank comprising:

a. an annular drum for receiving the shank of said anchor and having a first end and a second end and a fixed recessed reel section therebetween for receiving an anchor line would thereupon;

b. a handle means positioned across said first end;

and

c. a latching means comprising a slot in said handle means for receiving said ring and means for releasably retaining said ring in said slot.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said means for retaining said ring in said slot comprises a pivotal latch which moves transversely of said slot.

6. The device of claim 4 further comprising an annular seat cushion carried on said first end.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein said handle means is positioned across said first end of said annular drum and recessed therewithin.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising a series of anchor rope locking slots positioned around said drum circumferentially at a point between said handle and said first end.

bucket comprises a frusto-conical bottom section joined to a cylindrical top section and an upwardly extending ring which is adpated to be received by said slot in said handle.

13. The device of claim 4 wherein said annular drum comprises two frusto-conical sections joined together at the narrow ends thereof.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTEON Patent No. 3,77 Dated November 13, 1973 Bar um-( Roger V. McGee, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 38 "accordingly" should be according.

Column 2, line 10 "rop" should be rope--;

line 59' '"OF" should be --of.

Column 3, line 12 "n'nular" should be annular-;

line 3 should be -hang-;

I lines 61-62 "sie-wall" should be --sidewall-. Column l, line 1 "which" should be while--; line 50 "would" should be -wound-.

Claim 10 refers to Claim 13,, should refer to --Claim l-.

Signed and sealed this .6th day of August 1974.

(SEAL) J Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN A'ttesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A device for containing and dispensing a boat anchor comprising: a. an annular drum having a first end and a second end and a recessed reel section therebetween for receiving an anchor line wound thereupon, said second end being open for receiving said anchor therewithin; b. a handle means positioned across said first end; and c. latching means positioned adjacent said handle means on said first end for retaining said boat anchor in said second end and releasing said boat anchor from said second end axially of said drum when said second end is pointed downwardly.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said boat anchor comprises a base section and a ring connected by a shank, and said latching means is adapted to releasably retain said ring.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said latching means comprises a slot in said handle means for receiving said ring and a means for releasably retaining said ring in said slot.
 4. A device for containing and dispensing a boat anchor which has a base section and ring connected by a shank comprising: a. an annular drum for receiving the shank of said anchor and having a first end and a second end and a fixed recessed reel section therebetween for receiving an anchor line would thereupon; b. a handle means positioned across said first end; and c. a latching means comprising a slot in said handle means for receiving said ring and means for releasably retaining said ring in said slot.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said means for retaining said ring in said slot comprises a pivotal latch which moves transversely of said slot.
 6. The device of claim 4 further comprising an annular seat cushion carried on said first end.
 7. The device of claim 4 wherein said handle means is positioned across said first end of said annular drum and recessed therewithin.
 8. The device of claim 7 further comprising a series of anchor rope locking slots positioned around said drum circumferentially at a point between said handle and said first end.
 9. The device of claim 4 further comprising a series of serrations carried by said second end of said annular drum.
 10. The device of claim 13 further comprising a container adapted to fit within said annular drum which can be releasably retained by said latching means.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein said container is a minnow bucket.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein said minnow bucket comprises a frusto-conical bottom section joined to a cylindrical top section and an upwardly extending ring which is adpated to be received by said slot in said handle.
 13. The device of claim 4 wherein said annular drum comprises two frusto-conical sections joined together at the narrow ends thereof. 